Jury selection underway in trial of man accused of killing Everett police officer

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Jury selection began on Tuesday morning for the trial of the man charged in the deadly shooting of Everett police officer Dan Rocha.

Richard James Rotter is accused of shooting and killing Rocha during an attempted arrest in March 2022.

“I was shocked and upset that something like that could happen in our community,” said Lynn Boze.

Boze has lived in Everett for over 35 years. She says she comes to the Starbucks on the corner of Broadway and 10th Street almost every day.

On the day of the shooting, Boze says she was running late and couldn’t stop by but noticed a lot of police.

“They had the road all blocked off, and that’s how I found out,” said Boze.

The news rocked the community, and for some time, there was a growing memorial outside the police department.

According to court documents, Rocha approached Rotter after watching him move guns to a car in a Starbucks parking lot.

When Rocha attempted to put Rotter into custody, court documents say Rotter pulled a gun and shot Rocha three times, then fled the scene in a car, running over Rocha’s body.

“I just thought it was insane to think that people can do that, like literally, physically do that to people,” said Bella Mia Servicky.

Rotter crashed the car nearly three blocks away and was taken into custody.

“Everybody was, of course, upset and wanted to do something and help the families … The people here at Starbucks, the people I know, were so sad and upset about it,” said Boze.

A plaque honoring Rocha now lives inside the Starbucks.

Last April, he pleaded not guilty to three charges, including first-degree aggravated murder.

Rotter is currently being held without bail at the Snohomish County Jail.

With jury selection underway, community members hope it brings a sense of closure to the family.

“I hope that it helps the family heal as best they can’t. However, it’s always going to be difficult for them,” said Boze.

©2023 Cox Media Group